Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1887-02-03
JESsIE'S TRUE HERO.
GMerning JournAl.l

AoOO 30 ohO ohOOu
Tom Marshall and Will. Enderly were
both rivals for her favor. Both were
brave, handsome, generous young fell
lows. Tom had the most money;
Will, had only his own energy and
ambition. Jessie did not know which
one she liked best.
Il wish l did, she said, musingly;
Il wish there was some way of proving
them. The man | marry must be q
hero in the best sense OF the word.
He must be kind, tender and true;
above all, he must be brave More
than anything else, I despise cow
ard ..I,Ff...,.-.... .......,...'
A few days later Jessie had chance
to test the courage of both her lovers
About FIVE miles from Springdale
there was wild, beautiful spot,
known as Fern Glen, where picnic
parties often resorted and here Jessie
and her two suitors, with a merry
party, had gathered. ..f. .. .....
They had enjoyed an abundant din
ner, spread upon the fresh green grass,
and were rambling about in groups
upon the rocky cliffs around the glen,
gathering wild flowers and rare speci-
mems of beautiful ferns, from which
the glen derived its name, when Jes.
sizes chance came.
She was gathering splendid fern,
which grew very near the edge of a
high, rough cliff, when, CHANGING to
look over the gorge, she spied mag
nifcent scarlet flower growing below
oh, how beautiful! she cried i
never saw one like it. I must and
will have that flower 'HtH
The rest Of the group gathered near
to look over. III Hgrutl. yys- rr
i don't think you'll get it, Jessis,
said Molly Freeman, coolly. mo one
would be likely to go down there for
the sake of a mere flower
But they will for my sake,' cried
Jessie. A willful spirit seemed to
take possession of her, as she thought:
Now is the chance to test them And
then aloud she added: There gentle
men, is challenge for you. Who is
brave enough to go down the gorge
and bring me that fower?'
Two or three young men looked
over the cliff and shook their heads.
The risk was too great, they would
not dare it, But Jessie was deter
mined. Turning to Will Enderly.
she said
Come, Mr.. Enderly, you will do
my bidding, know! Get me the
scarlet flower, please! ri a4a-gN
Will. looked grave as he answered:
NO. Miss Jessie, can not risk my
life for such triae. Surely you do
not wish it? ..- - .e. ~
But do wish it, cried Jessie, de-
cidedly. Nay, l command it.
4 can not obey was the firm an
swer. -a.-~.-.
'What2 Are you afraid to go
DOWN. asked Jessie tauntingly, her
pretty cheeks all ahame. '.
Will, turned still paler, but he said
quietly:
Yes, for so small cause, am
What? You coward2' And Jes-
sizes voice rang out loud and clear.
go this moment or l will never speak
to you again, Will. EnderlYr
'Then, farewell. will not CO. was
the answer And deadly white, with
folded arms, Will. walked away.
Tom Marshall stepped forward and
began to throw off his coat.
Miss Jessie, I'll go down and get
the flower, he said. D
'Oh, Jessie, don't let himP cried
two or three of the girls. 1T is too
dangerous. Don't let him. 1t would
be cruel. 'i-a.H.., '.'ss. .f..t's -g.W
Jessie drew herself up proudly.
Don't be alarmed l am not an
ogress, she said. i do not want the
flower. l would not have it now if it
grew at my feet. I wanted to find
out who was the brave man and who
the coward. And I have found out.
Mr.. Marshall, put on your coat 1t is
enough that you were willingto to dare
the danger for my sake a7a ss'l
Will. was not too far off to hear
every word Jessie had spoken. She
had raised her voice on purpose that
he might hear, and she knew aer
taunts had stung deeply, as she meant
they should. She walked away on
Toms arm, and he was proud of his
victory now. Indeed, he had guessed
her intention all the time. He never
really meant to descend that danger
GUS cliff. But he knew Jessie Lincoln,
and felt sure if. he offered to go she
would forbid it, as she did, and he
would have the honors of a bloodless
battle. aaa 4sa9alq4 ag.sg gr.a.
The little incident was soon forgot
ten except by the three concerned
Will, wandered moodily around alone,
and whenever Jessie and Tom passed
him she would not glance q; him,
much less speak to him. lsoaana3 "
The hour for going home had near
ly arrived. Some of the party were
alread descending the cliffs by the
long Dath to the plen. others were vet